Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 10

Hand Painted Miniature Esther Scroll, Housed in Elegantly Fashioned Silver Case

$12,000
£9,089.95
€10,487.27
CA$16,825.41
A$18,755.87
CHF 9,871.88
MX$227,373.56
NOK 125,687.53
SEK 116,858.96
DKK 78,274.78

About the Item

Hand-Decorated Miniature Esther Scroll Housed in an Elegantly Fashioned Silver Case – Israel, Circa 1950s From the Collection of Oscar and Regina Gruss, New York A remarkable example of mid-20th century Judaica craftsmanship, this miniature Esther scroll is both a devotional object and a stunning piece of ornamental art. Handwritten in a minute yet highly legible script on four conjoined parchment membranes, the scroll features 39 columns of text—each comprising 11 lines—and follows the traditional “HaMelech” layout, with nearly every column headed by the word "HaMelech" (“the King”). Executed in ink and vibrant pigments—yellow, red, green, blue, and brown—the scroll is ornately hand-decorated throughout. Each column is framed by spiraling architectural columns, complete with decorative capitals and bases, creating a grand structural rhythm across the scroll. Above the text, each column is topped by a triptych of miniature arches, nestled between pairs of floral and vegetal motifs, lending a refined elegance to the entire layout. The scroll is encased in an exquisitely crafted silver case, cylindrical in form and richly adorned in the repoussé technique with flowing vegetal patterns. At the center of the case appears a striking image of a winged figure, holding a ring in one hand and pointing heavenward with the other—a powerful icon that may represent the Zoroastrian Faravahar, or possibly the Mesopotamian deity Ashur. This rare and culturally layered symbolism evokes the ancient Persian setting of the Book of Esther. Set into the scrolling floral designs are small red glass beads, further enhancing the case’s opulent appeal. The rim of the case undulates gracefully, echoing the fluidity of its ornamental motifs, and is also inset with red glass stones. The top of the case is fitted with a dome-shaped blue plastic cap, surmounted by a flagpole and flag, while the base features a conical handle for comfortable use. Scroll height: 3.1 cm Scroll length: approx. 215 cm Case height (incl. handle and flag): 13 cm Condition: Overall good. Some joins between parchment sheets slightly loose. This piece is attributed to Israel, circa 1950s, and features a silver tax mark ("13" within the Hebrew letter mem), in use from that period. Comparable examples were auctioned at Sotheby’s (Dec 19, 2007, Lot 200; and Dec 15, 2016, Lot 108). While previously dated to the 1920s–30s, more recent scholarship supports a post-1950s attribution. Provenance: From the Oscar and Regina Gruss Collection, New York. Oscar and Regina Gruss, who escaped Nazi persecution in Lvov in 1939, became devoted collectors of Jewish ceremonial art in postwar America. Their collection emphasized silver Judaica and 19th-century Jewish painting, featuring artists such as Isidor Kaufmann and Moritz Daniel Oppenheim. Many pieces were donated to The Jewish Museum in New York; others remained in the family and are now being offered to the public for the first time. See also: Lots 133, 144, 147, 153, 154, 204, and 205 from the same collection.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 4.93 in (12.5 cm)Width: 1.78 in (4.5 cm)Depth: 1.38 in (3.5 cm)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Hide,Silver
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1950's
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    New York, NY
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU5281245080432

More From This Seller

View All
An Olivewood Esther Scroll Case and Parchment Scroll, Jerusalem C. 1950
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful example of mid-20th century Jerusalem craftsmanship, this hand-carved Esther Scroll case is fashioned from locally sourced olivewood and feat...
Category

Vintage 1950s Israeli Religious Items

Materials

Hide, Wood, Olive

A German Silver-Gilt Torah Pointer by Lazarus Posen, Frankfurt 1919
By Lazarus Posen Witwe
Located in New York, NY
A Stunning German Silver-Gilt Torah Pointer by Lazarus Posen made in Frankfurt or Berlin in the early 19th Century. Lazarus Posen, was a Jewish artist and engraver who lived during ...
Category

Vintage 1910s Art Nouveau Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

A Silver Prayer Book Binding, Israel 1950's
Located in New York, NY
A Silver Prayer Book Binding from Israel in the 1950s represents a significant piece of Judaica, blending traditional religious devotion with the ar...
Category

Vintage 1950s Israeli Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

An American Children's Miniature Torah Scroll, Presented by the JNF, NY c. 1920
Located in New York, NY
A charming and historically rich artifact, this miniature Torah scroll was issued by קרן קימת לישראל (Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael / Jewish National Fund) in the early 20th century as a t...
Category

Vintage 1920s American Religious Items

Materials

Fabric, Wood, Paper

Ornate Silver-Bound Machzor by I.M. Fain Israel with Filigree and Gemstone Inlay
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite Machzor, a Jewish High Holiday prayer book, is encased in an ornate silver binding crafted by I.M. Fain, a very well known Jewish silversmith who worked in Israel duri...
Category

Mid-20th Century Israeli Religious Items

Materials

Multi-gemstone, Silver

Antique Miniature Sefer Torah Written on Parchment
Located in New York, NY
Antique Miniature Sefer Torah Written on Parchment – With Original Belt and Decorative Mantle An extraordinary and rare example of Judaica, this antique miniature Sefer Torah is ful...
Category

Early 20th Century Religious Items

Materials

Hide, Wood

You May Also Like

Large Russian Silver Jewish Megillah Case and Scroll
Located in London, GB
A large Russian silver Jewish Megillah case and scroll Russian, 19th century Measures: height 23cm, diameter 7cm This remarkable piece is a Russian ...
Category

Antique 19th Century Russian Religious Items

Materials

Silver

19th Century Viennese Miniature Covered Silver and Enamel Cornucopia
Located in New York, NY
A very fine antique jeweled, silver Viennese enamel covered Cornucopia. Each panel is beautifully enameled with cupids, Angeles and Maidens with neoclassical mythological subjects, f...
Category

Antique 1850s Austrian Medieval More Desk Accessories

Materials

Enamel

Antique Metal Scroll Document Holder, circa 1900
Located in Miami, FL
Antique metal scroll document holder, circa 1900 Antique metal scroll holder, circa 1900. The cylindrical container with relief scenic repoussé work dec...
Category

20th Century French Tobacco Accessories

Materials

Metal

Antique Judaica Hand Illuminated Megillah Scroll of Esther Manuscript
Located in Long Island City, NY
An antique Megillah The Book of Esther, hand written on parchment by an expert Sephardi scribe and richly decorated with hand painted illustrations. The text panels are surrounded by...
Category

Antique 19th Century Unknown Drawings

Materials

Parchment Paper

Gilt Gold & Sterling Silver Beautiful Esther Megillah spectacular Judaica piece
Located in Jerusalem, IL
Partial Gilt Gold and Sterling Silver Megillah with a Superior Illuminated Parchment Scroll of the Esther Megilah. Beautiful artistry clearly evident in this limited edition Megillah...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Sculptures

Materials

Silver

Table Pen Holder Fire Enamel Miniatures Hand Painted Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Giorgio Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Table pen holder with long ballpoint pen in sterling silver 925/1000 gold plated with very fine fire-enamelled miniatures hand-painted by the painter Renato Dainelli in Arabic style ...
Category

1990s Italian Islamic Sterling Silver

Materials

Gold, Sterling Silver, Enamel